<p>Hi all, </p>
<p>I have been speaking to a couple of people about misreading or misunderstanding small details in a question. Sometimes, my mistakes have been just because I have skipped a sentence in a math question. Generally, this is happening at the end of the paper level 4 and 5 questions. Does anyone have any advice on how to conquer this seemingly trivial problem? What has worked for people? I always hear 'read carefully' but what do people do to read carefully? Do they read the question twice, underline etc? I want to know! </p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<p>You’re also less prone to errors if you’re more organized with your work. The following article can be helpful:</p>
<p>[Stop</a> Making Stupid Mistakes](<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Resources/articles.php?page=mistakes]Stop”>Stop Making Silly Mistakes)</p>
<p>okay thanks for this, but is there anything else reading wise i.e. reading the question, reading it twice or reading it 3 times, reading out loud, read inside my head!? </p>
<p>Cheers I’ll take a look at the article</p>
<p>Here are the list of things that I do:</p>
<p>1) Read the question at least two or three times. Generally, if I don’t grasp the entire question on the first reading, then I know it is a difficult question and I will read it several times. </p>
<p>2) Don’t rush off to attack the problem immediately and don’t change the problem to what you think it is asking, be careful about that temptation.</p>
<p>3) Reread the question at the end before selecting your answer to make sure you are answering what they are asking. If you are solving for x, and they are asking x-3, then pay attention to that. </p>
<p>4) Redraw diagrams: On the SAT one does not need to redraw things but I find redrawing helps me digest the problem. This one is a matter of personal preference. </p>
<p>5) On the SAT we know where the hard questions are and one should automatically be prepared to be careful on those questions. </p>
<p>6) Write clearly and legibly, legible enough so you can read your work in case your answer is not in one of the answer choices. This likely happens when one makes a careless mistake.</p>
<p>Okay thanks for this @Quantum, </p>
<p>Others feel free to write your suggestions!</p>